News, nature, and community throughout the Emerald Triangle

Fortuna Man Wanted for Shooting at Another Man Today

This is a press release from the Fortuna Police Department. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:

On July 5, 2016 at approximately 2 pm, Fortuna Police Officers responded to multiple reports of shots fired within a trailer park located in the 300 block of North Fortuna Blvd.

Upon the arrival of officers, the investigation revealed that two adult males had been involved in a mutual physical fight regarding a dispute over money and property. The two involved parties separated after a short altercation and the suspect left the area.

A short time later, the suspect, identified as 21 year old Derek Ray Johnson of Fortuna, returned to the original scene of the fight, this time with a shotgun, and fired one shot at the victim as he was standing in the doorway of his residence. The victim narrowly escaped being struck by the shot and was able to flee the area to safety. Johnson, who is still outstanding, fled the area as well, after hiding the shotgun under another nearby trailer. The shotgun was located and collected as evidence.

Johnson was said to have left the area as a passenger in a dark green, older model 4 door sedan with a partial Ca. license plate 6CIO64_. Johnson is described as:

Fortuna Police is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Johnson. Johnson is wanted for attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling and armed robbery. Anyone with information regarding this case or the whereabouts of Johnson, is asked to contact the Fortuna Police Department at 707-725-755 or the WeTip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME.